Andrew Boch

Sure, TJ, God is so mercifull to me that I do not have any heli mount :rolleyes: thank you for the story you share, Andrew

thank you Jerry and Brad for the inputs. in my case the difference is not only $100 but at least 200 euro because cheapest IDX charger I was able to find here in europe internet shops is 577 euro and SWIT i found for 82 euro compact version and 350 euro dual chanel (both including VAT). Also i was thinking to buy SWIT bateries but it little bigger in size, strange in shape and heavier in weight. I was afraid i will not be able to easy ballance Flyer with that bateries. If you think it is not big obstacle then i go for all-swit set of bateries and charger. For me IDX set is double of price as SWIT set, but again, if it is any problem to use SWIT with the Flyer then I go for all-IDX set. so please what would you do in my case, Andrew

Thank you Steven! Also today we got calculations of charges for helicopter rent in India and fortunately we found it too expensive for our small project. Andrew "staying on the ground" Boch

I am going to buy IDX Endura 10S bateries and compact cheap SWIT charger. for the road it must be real saver. but i am not good in electronics. please any comment if I can use long and safe to charge IDX Endura bateries with the SWIT charger? Price is in big difference with original Endura chargers. I am concider to buy one of these chargers: SWIT SC- 302S/A http://www.videokit.co.uk/cgi-bin/store1/c...&pid=79.htm SWIT S-3010S http://www.digibroadcast.com/products/1/S-3010S.htm thank you andrew

ok... i got the point... i just will not do it! some straight quotations from the advanced ops for the benefit of others on this thread: Jerry Holway: "Absolutely stay out of any helicopter with a Steadicam. There are better performing and much-safer-for-everyone tools, FAA certified systems, etc. Steadicam is a really bad and less than safe choice. Just say no." Job Scholtze: "I have been in a ( vietnam style ) helicopter with a rig on. Mainly to be transported to the top of a mountain. i tryd to shoot during that trip. I got zero results. To much wind. My trip was only 5 minuts, but already my blood left my legs. Also hardmounted wont help, its just not the tool for it." Eric Fletcher: "...it's not the correct tool for the job and it's a bad idea to do it." Daniel Stilling: "Normal flying is very safe. Flying for a shoot is some of the most dangerous things you can do..." Garrett Brown: "I have lost six friends in six separate film-related helicopter crashes: two hit wires, two ran out of fuel (!), one main shaft frozen, etc. I won't go up in them any more." :unsure: thank you, Andrew

I was searching and did not find much. That is why I wrote here. But... Jeff, thank you for the warning and pushing me to search again. Somehow i found many topics now and going to read it right now. Andrew

Hi, colleagues asking about possible helicopter shooting: -- it is possible for me at all to do it just with Smooth Shooter (or maybe Flyer if i will be fortunate to upgrade)? -- what is the basic tips for operating from helicopter? -- what is first personal security recommendations? -- what is approximate rate for renting heli for shooting? -- I heard that Gyros will help to shoot in such conditions. Is it absolutely necessary or is it optional thing? from my side i said that first i have to learn to operate steady at the land and after they can ask me to fly, but still what is the rough basics of helicopter shooting? thank you in advance for any input Andrew

I am looking for used Flyer unit for sale here in Europe. Better with compact vest. Budget around €5000 thank you Andrei

thank you Gus, it is helpful to hear such review from local pros. actually now i am on the state to decide between two sets: Glidecam V25 or Tiffen Flyer. Communicating right now with sellers. Andrei PS nice demo reel, Gus :) especialy first continuous sequence.

Erik, thank you for your kind research. Just sent email to the Sachtler. They do not have enough information on the site. Also i was atracted by the view and price of their Artemis DV Pro... is it good? Nobody recomended it to me in this thread. Price is almost the same as for Glidecam V25. Glidecam has their workshop in April and that time i will be in South India shooting, so unfortunately best price option did not fall to the proper time for me. thank you again Andrei

sure, i will do my best to look for some steadicam operator here in my area (Czech, Prague) . i hope he will be some kind of experienced one. thank you Matt, Andrei

Thank you Matt. It is my dream to go through any good steadicam workshop and even more i just back from searching for any upcoming one here in Europe. But for now, it remains dream because of price for it - 2.500 euros fee plus 2000 euros for accommodation... :blink: it means 4500 euros ($5900) without tickets... for independent filmmaker as me it is too much money. I am talking about workshop by G.Brown and J.Holway in Switzerland, February 4-9, 2007 http://www.sometimes.ch/workshop.html Andrei

Erwin and Erik, thank you very much for your warnings, suggestions and usefull links... wow, i just came back from reading all that threads. I would like to say that first I have to digest all the information, but for now i have my doubts to buy Basson even it is only solution for my actual pocket size. I think i have to talk to our sponsor about bigger investment... From the first look i like v-25 more but also i respect experience of tiffen and need more time to decide. BTW german dealer of the GC (closest to my location) has this picture of V25 and demonstrator holding it like this: is it proper way to handle post? i am sorry but i did not went through any workshop and have my doubts about almost everything I do to operate my smoothshooter. thank you once again for your valuable help, Andrei

Hi, I am owner of Glidecam Smoothsooter and 4000 pro sled. Now got possibility to upgrade my rig to something more serious. It could be around $5000 for whole set. I need it to care my HVX200 and sometimes with Redrock M2 adapter. What would you recommend me to go with? I found Basson Blackbee (http://www.bassonsteady.com.ar/shop/detalle.asp?oynprodid=22) is in the range of the money. Is it good system to go with? I read some post that all these new companies, which copying original Tiffen products are not so experienced in constructing their equipment and all their children has many problems to operate it. Some details, i noticed just by eye, i do not like, but maybe it is just my inexperience: - the arm is jut out to the side too much and can be difficult to go through doors or tight corridor. - post is too long and for me it looks that camera will be too high. - bottom part do not look good for dinamic ballance. Camera with adapter and matte box is way much longer. ... So would you recommend me to jump on it or maybe I have to upgrade to something from original Tiffen like SK2? I want to spent money properly and not lamment in the future. Is Basson Blackbee much better then my Smooth Sooter with 4000pro or just little better? I would not spent double money for something just *little* better. Please any ideas and suggestions are welcome, Andrew

Hi, I am realy new on the stadicam field and have a lot of questions, but today's dilema is what monitor i have to get for my steadicam shooting. Using HVX200 and for the next project going to shoot only HD. Found myself struggling to get nicely focused footage. What is usual setup for the steadicam operator to get his picture sharp? do you have two monitors: one on the rig just to see what you shoot and other big and high resolution to get idea about focus settings? Or do you use one monitor for both tasks? what will you recommend as low budged monitor? I have Glidecam 4000, Smooth Shooter, Redrock M2 35mm lens adapter, HVX200 and no any monitor at the time. thank you for any idea, suggestion Andrew